How does chip and PIN technology work?

Chip and PIN. A safer way to use your card.

BMO debit and credit cards are more secure than ever thanks to chip technology. Chip debit and credit cards contain an encrypted microchip that is extremely difficult to counterfeit. Your Personal Identification Number (PIN) provides even more protection.

Chip card technology has already been tested and implemented in over 92 countries in Europe, Asia, Latin America, Africa and the Middle East. The transition to chip card technology represents an evolution of the electronic payment system. Chip technology is designed to take security to the next level by making a safe payment system even safer.

BMO, along with other members of the payments industry, has been leading the transition to chip card technology in Canada. To better secure your personal information and in-branch transactions, BMO has installed chip & PIN terminals in all of our branches.

Canadian and U.S. stores and services will be equipped with terminals that process chip transactions over the next few years. All chip cards will continue to have a magnetic stripe on the back of the card. This means that you'll still be able to use your chip card at merchants who don't have chip terminals and in countries that have not yet adopted chip technology.